7B: Increase Passenger Rail Service
As regional and national conversations continue, we must advocate for a prominent role for Indianapolis in any regional high-speed rail network or risk being bypassed should such a system materialize. In the short-term, support increased and upgraded Amtrak passenger service and facilities to keep Indianapolis on the rail map. In the long-term, in conjunction with downtown railroad relocation, consider development of a passenger rail hub at Indianapolis International Airport, consolidating interstate travel in one modern facility with rapid connections to downtown via IndyGo’s Bus Rapid Transit network.
Value to the Community
Additional Amtrak service provides additional convenient options for residents to travel and for their friends and families to visit. Planning for long-term high-speed rail connections keeps Indy from being bypassed should a future system be pursued, ensuring our residents and businesses can easily access such a system.Value to the Hospitality Industry
Like increased flights, increased passenger rail service provides options for visitors to access Indy. While passenger rail service has long struggled in the United States, we cannot neglect the continued advancement of such services in Europe and Asia, and therefore should be ready to advance Indy for a prominent role if such networks be built regionally or nationally.Updates
- December 2023. Amtrak Grants INDOT Funds to Study Increased Service. Amtrak provided INDOT a $500,000 grant to study ways to speed up service on the existing Cardinal Line to Chicago to make daily service competitive. Another grant to Kentucky is exploring restoration of Indianapolis to Louisville service.
- August 2021. Amtrak Proposes Significant Service Increase. As part of its national expansion plans, Amtrak has proposed increasing service to Indy from 3 times each week to 8 round trip trains daily, including a new line to Louisville and a new station at Indianapolis International Airport.
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Priority + Progress
Standby priorities are the bottom 20% or so of actions that TTI is keeping its eye on and may need to reevaluate in the near future.
TTI Role
The encourage role means TTI is offering encouragement to partners pursuing this action. This is the least-involved type of role and typically applicable when partners don't need much help.
